Rocky Hill Festival Question: Edouard Who?

ROCKY HILL — Linda Gilbert went to sleep Sunday night believing Hurricane Edouard had ensured her first Labor Day off in years.

But when the sun came up Monday morning, she knew she would be working after all.

``We didn't anticipate this beautiful day,'' Gilbert, the owner of Gilbert Farms in Rocky Hill, said at her hastily assembled produce stand at the 12th annual Ferry Park Family Festival. ``At 5 o'clock this morning, the rush was on.''

As late as Sunday morning, officials were leaning toward canceling the festival, which attracts as many as 10,000 to the Connecticut River. But with forecasts growing progressively more promising by early Monday, the event went ahead as planned, and by midday organizers were projecting total attendance similar to that in previous years.

``It's going very well,'' said Livia Jacobs, Rocky Hill's recreation superintendent. ``We were worried initially that people would stay away, but it hasn't happened.''

The day was bright, if somewhat hazy, and fairgoers enjoyed rides and games, music and entertainment, food and crafts, and riverboat cruises with the Pioneer Valley Brass Band. Community organizations set up information booths, and the Rocky Hill Chamber of Commerce registered voters for the November elections.

Seven-year-old Brian Harries of West Hartford, who goes to the festival every year, said he had heard about the hurricane but wasn't worried about it.

``I forgot about it,'' he explained. ``It's a nice day.''

Rocky Hill retirees Ed and Marge Brainard also are regulars at the fair.

``It's a good community gathering, getting everyone together once a year,'' Ed Brainard said. ``We come down for lunch and to see the people.''

``And to see if I can't find something to buy,'' added Marge Brainard.

The Brainards said they had been planning to go to the festival rain or shine.

At her produce stand, Gilbert said sales of sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers and squash were as good as in previous years.

``I was afraid the storm would keep people away,'' she said. ``But the turnout has been very good.''